The PlayStation 5 works in either a vertical or horizontal setup. If you change your mind on your preferred orientation, it’s pretty easy to move your PS5 from vertical to horizontal (or vice-versa).
Let’s look at how to safely move your PS5 from a vertical orientation to horizontally on its side, and back again.
First: Shut Down and Unplug Your PS5
Before you do any work physically moving your PlayStation 5, it’s important to shut it down and unplug everything. This will prevent damage to the system that could occur if you move it around while it’s turned on.
You should fully turn off your PS5. To do this, press the PS Button on your controller to bring up the quick menu at the bottom of the screen. Select Power at the right and choose Turn Off PS5.
Wait until your console’s lights turn off, then unplug the power cable, HDMI cable, and anything else you have connected to the system. Now you’re ready to change your PS5’s orientation.
Remove the Stand Screw
When you set up your PS5 vertically, you had to take an included screw out of a compartment in the base and use it to secure the base to the console when it sits vertically. As a result, removing this screw is your first step in changing your console’s orientation.
Gently flip your PS5 on its side so you can access the stand on the bottom. Use a flathead screwdriver, coin, or similar to remove the single silver screw holding the base to the system.
Once the screw is loose, the base will come free. There’s a small compartment in the base where you can store the screw. Snap it into place there, then slide it into the little hole to keep it secured.
Also in this compartment, you’ll find a small black stopper (as long as you put it there during the initial setup). Remove this stopper and use it to plug the hole on the bottom of the PS5 where you just took the screw out.
Rotate the Base
Now, you’ll want to rotate the base so it fits onto the console in its horizontal orientation. This also closes the small compartment where you placed the screw, further securing it.
You should rotate the base when looking at it from the top (opposite from where you just stored the screw). If you treat the raised portion of the stand as “north,” you’ll need to rotate the outside piece of the stand to the “northwest,” as shown below.
This is the correct orientation for using the stand horizontally. It will click and gently stop when you have it in the right spot.
Attach the Stand in the Horizontal Position
Now, you can attach the stand to your PS5 while it’s sitting horizontally. Make sure the system is sitting the right way—the PS logo should be facing up.
On the back of your system, underneath and close to the two USB ports, you’ll see some PlayStation controller symbols imprinted on the console. Slip the outside arms of the base (that you just rotated) onto the system around where this pattern ends on each side.
Give the clips a push to secure them, but be aware that in this position, the stand is not fully locked into place (like it is with the screw when placed vertically). Be gentle when you put the system down, and be aware that the stand could slip if you pull on it.
Now you’re all set to use your PS5 in horizontal orientation. Plug all the cables back in and start it up to get back to playing. If you have the standard PS5, you’ll insert discs face-up in this orientation.
How to Change Your PS5 Back From Horizontal to Vertical
Want to go back to a vertical orientation for your PS5, or maybe you initially set up your PS5 in horizontal form and want to go vertical now? Either way, it’s easy to walk through the above process in reverse order. Make sure you shut down and unplug your PS5 first, if it’s currently turned on or in Rest mode.
To swap to a vertical orientation, first lift up your PS5 and gently pull the stand out from the system to remove it. Next, you should rotate the outside arm of the base. When looking at it from the top, the arm should be “north,” in line with the raised portion. Make sure you feel the gentle click, so you know it’s in the right place.
Position your PS5 so you can access the bottom, then remove the black stopper from the hole in the middle—it’s located roughly in the middle of the vents.
Place this black stopper inside the small hole in the compartment on the underside of the base. The stopper should snap right into its spot.
Next, remove the screw from the same compartment in the base. Now, you’ll need to attach the stand in its proper position. To do so, stand your PS5 up so the back of the console is facing up, as shown below.
Take the stand and place it so that the hole for the screw is lined up with the screw hole you just removed the stopper from. Position the clips on the base’s arm at the back of your system below the power connector. The stand should line up easily.
Now, use a screwdriver or similar to tighten the screw. Once you’re done and the stand feels firmly attached, you’re all set to use your PS5 vertically. Plug all the cables back in to complete the job.
Should You Stand Your PS5 Vertically or Horizontally?
Sony supports using your PS5 both vertically and horizontally, so there’s no right or wrong way to do it, as long as your system gets enough airflow. Which orientation you should use depends on your needs.
If you have lots of room and don’t mind the PS5 taking up a lot of horizontal space, the horizontal look is sleek. For those with the standard model PS5, it also makes the process of inserting discs a bit easier, since the label should always face up. This is a bit harder to remember with the vertical orientation, where the disc label should face to the left.
However, you might not have space inside your entertainment system to accommodate the horizontal setup. In these cases, going vertical is your best bet. The PS5 is a huge console either way, but when placed vertically, it sits nicely next to your TV stand or similar. This is the setup I use, as shown in the below image.
Whichever orientation you choose for your PS5, make sure you do use the stand. It keeps the system off the ground, which improves airflow. The stand also secures the PS5, making it harder to knock over and potentially damage it.
Set Up Your PS5 and Get Playing
Now you know how to change your PS5 from vertical to horizontal and back again in just a few minutes. Once your system is set up, fire it up and enjoy some of the PS5’s best titles.
Don’t forget that almost all of the PS4’s library works on the PS5 too, giving you a lot more to enjoy.
Image Credit: Alex Van Aken/Shutterstock